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Farrowing duration is rather long in sows most likely due to selection for large litters, and we hypothesized that prolonged farrowings would compromise sow energy status during farrowing and in turn the farrowing process. Two studies were performed as follows: 1) to evaluate whether sow energy status during farrowing compromise the farrowing kinetics (FK, i.e., farrowing duration and birth intervals) and 2) to study the underlying mechanisms potentially affecting stillbirth rate and farrowing assistance. In study-1, parameters affecting FK were characterized based on data from a total of 166 farrowings from 7 feeding trials focused on sow colostrum production. The data were screened for associations with FK using the CORR procedure of SAS. Traits that were correlated with the FK at P < 0.05 were included in a multivariate regression model. Time since last meal until the onset of farrowing greatly affected the farrowing duration (r = 0.76; n = 166; P < 0.001) and a broken-line model was fitted to describe that relationship. According to the model, farrowing duration was constant (3.8 ± 1.5 h) if the farrowing started before the breakpoint (3.13 ± 0.34 h after the last meal), whereas farrowing duration increased to 9.3 h if the farrowing started 8 h after the last meal. Subsequently, sows were divided into 3 categories based on that trait (≤3, 3 to 6, and >6 h) to evaluate the impact on birth intervals, farrowing assistance, and stillbirth rate. Birth intervals (P < 0.001), odds for farrowing assistance (P < 0.001), and odds for stillbirth (P = 0.02) were low, intermediate, and high when time since last meal was ≤3, 3 to 6, and >6 h, respectively. In study-2, blood samples were collected once or twice each week in late gestation and each hour during farrowing to measure arterial concentrations and uterine extractions of plasma metabolites. Time since last meal was strongly negatively correlated with arterial glucose 1 h after the onset of farrowing (r= -0.96; n = 9; P < 0.001). Glucose appeared to be the key energy metabolite for oxidative metabolism of gravid uterus. In conclusion, the present study strongly suggests that a substantial proportion of sows suffer from low-energy status at the onset farrowing and that this negatively affects the farrowing process. Transferring this knowledge into practice, the results suggest that sows should be fed at least 3 daily meals in late gestation.

Zika virus (ZIKV) infection is associated with congenital defects and pregnancy loss. Here, we found that 26% of nonhuman primates infected with Asian/American ZIKV in early gestation experienced fetal demise later in pregnancy despite showing few clinical signs of infection. Pregnancy loss due to asymptomatic ZIKV infection may therefore be a common but under-recognized adverse outcome related to maternal ZIKV infection. Zika virus infection during pregnancy is associated with an increased rate of fetal loss in nonhuman primates, as reported in this multicenter analysis.

Background Reproductive performance is a critical aspect of livestock production and sustainability. The number of stillbirths (NS) and mummified (NM) piglets significantly affect reproductive efficiency in swine production. Identifying and understanding the genetic architecture and candidate genes influencing these reproductive loss traits are essential for genetic inheritance studies and selective breeding programs in the swine breeding industry. To elucidate the genetic architecture of these traits, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) using porcine 70 K BeadChip arrays from 1,162 Duroc, 1,783 Landrace, and 2,366 Yorkshire pigs. Result Single-parity breed-specific genome-wide association (GWA) analyses revealed that SIDT2 on Chr9 was associated with NM in Duroc pigs, whereas GTF2H3 , PPP1R9A , and LMTK2 on Chr14 , 9 , and 3 , respectively, were associated with both traits in Landrace pigs. Several genes have been linked to NS and NM in Yorkshire pigs, including GRID1 (chr14) , DLGAP2 (chr15) , ZZEF1 (chr12) , RNF17 (chr11) , SEL1L2 (chr17) , ASCC3 (chr1) , KCND2 (chr18) , AP5B1(chr2) , KAT5 (chr2) , and SPATS2 (chr5) . Across the breeds, five genes ( DLGAP2 , RNF17 , SEL1L2 , AP5B1 , and KAT5 ) were exclusively associated with NS, whereas the other five ( SIDT2 , NDUFAF5 , AKAP12 , RCC1L , and BIRC6 ) were specific to NM. In addition, eight genes ( GTF2H3 , PPP1R9A , LMTK2 , GRID1 , ZZEF1 , ASCC3 , KCND2 , and SPATS2 ) were associated with both traits, suggesting shared molecular pathways involved in piglet mortality. Conclusions This study showed genetic factors affecting reproductive performance loss in three commercial Korean pig breeds through first-parity GWA analysis and provided crucial genetic markers that breeders may use in marker-assisted breeding programs aimed at improving reproductive efficiency.

A deeper understanding of the risk factors for dystocia and stillbirth could help farmers make decisions about dairy cow management. The objectives of this study were to investigate cow-level risk factors associated with dystocia and stillbirth in a relatively large sample of dairy cows using multivariable linear regression models. The data consisted of 51,405 calving records of 14,546 Holstein cows from 3 dairy herds in Isfahan Province, Iran, collected between April 2011 and September 2017. To investigate the association between selected blood macro-minerals and the incidence of dystocia and stillbirth, blood samples were collected at the time of parturition from a random subset of these cows, which included 1311 animals. The incidence of dystocia and stillbirths averaged 14.7% and 4.3%, respectively. Results showed that calving year, calving season, dry period length, BCS, parity, calf sex, calf birth weight, twin status, and stillbirth were significantly associated with the incidence of dystocia. According to the Random Forest (RF) classifier, we found that dry period length, calf birth weight, and parity were the most important cow-level risk factors for the incidence of dystocia. Calving year, calving season, parity, twin status, dry period length, calf birth weight, calf sex, and dystocia were significantly associated with the incidence of stillbirths. The most important risk factors identified by the RF classifier for stillbirths were twin status, parity, dry period length, and calf birth weight. Also, interactions between the cow-level risk factors associated with dystocia and stillbirth were identified. The incidence of dystocia was associated with the interactions of twin status × calf birth weight and twin status × stillbirth. According to our analysis, the incidence of stillbirth is caused by interactions among several factors, such as twin status × length of dry period, twin status × calving season, and twin status × parity. The highest incidence of dystocia (21.3%) and stillbirths (5.4%) was observed in hypo-calcemic cows. In conclusion, twin status seems to be a determining factor for the incidence of stillbirths but not for dystocia. Finally, the results of this study may help the dairy industry make management decisions aimed at reducing dystocia and stillbirth rates.

The beneficial effects of dietary fiber (DF) from a behavioral and welfare perspective have been thoroughly studied. However, data on the effects of DF on reproductive performance are scarce. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the impact of increased DF supply during the last 2 wk of gestation on stillbirth rate, preweaning mortality, and total piglet mortality. A total of 644 sows were selected for the experiment from a commercial farm, and the sows were inseminated in weekly batches. Sows in the control group ( = 310) were fed according to the normal feeding strategy of the farm with a gestation diet until 1 wk before expected farrowing, then a transition diet until d 5 of lactation, and then a lactation diet until weaning. Sows in the treatment group ( = 334) were fed as the control group except that 280 g/d of the gestation diet (from d 102 to 108 of gestation) and 570 g/d of the transition diet (from d 109 of gestation until farrowing) was daily replaced with 350 and 700 g/d, respectively, of a DF-rich supplement. Both groups received isocaloric diets on a NE basis. The numbers of live-born and stillborn piglets as well as mortality of live-born piglets with presumed causes of death were recorded. The supplemented DF reduced the proportion of stillborn piglets from 8.8 to 6.6% ( < 0.001) and mortality of total born piglets from 22.3 to 19.9% ( = 0.004) but had no impact on preweaning mortality of the piglets ( = 0.21). Moreover, supplemented DF reduced the proportion of death due to poor viability ( < 0.001; 2.8 vs. 1.5% in the control and treatment groups, respectively) and prevalence of piglet diarrhea ( = 0.004; 0.7 vs. 0.3% in the control and treatment groups, respectively). Crushing, low birth weight, and poor viability were the top 3 contributors to preweaning mortality of live-born piglets, in descending order. In conclusion, the supplemented DF reduced the proportion of stillborn piglets and total piglet mortality as well as mortality due to poor viability and piglet diarrhea in lactation.

Background Dystocia is an important limiting factor in animal breeding due to its cost, stress for the mother and risk of death for the neonates. Assessment of incidence and characteristics of dystocia and the inherent risk of Cesarean section are of major importance. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the reproductive performance of Bernese Mountain Dogs in Switzerland, with a particular focus on the prevalence of Cesarean sections due to dystocia, and identification of possible risk factors. Results The investigated population included 401 bitches, 207 sires, and 1127 litters. Litter size was significantly influenced by age and parity of the dam. Incidence of Cesarean section was 30.4%, with 2.0% of procedures being elective. History of previous Cesarean section, age of the dam, and a small litter size significantly influenced the risk for Cesarean section. The stillbirth rate was 12.0%, and the number of stillborn pups was significantly higher for litters delivered by Cesarean sections after birth of the first pup. The inbreeding coefficient had a low to non-significant impact on all reproductive parameters (e.g., litter size, number of stillborn pups). Conclusion The sample of Bernese Mountain Dogs of our study had an increased prevalence of Cesarean sections compared to the literature, and advanced age of the dam, litter size and prior Cesarean sections in the dam’s reproductive history was identified as significantly influencing factors. In order to improve pups’ survival rate, elective Cesarean section may be indicated in bitches that have had a previous Cesarean-section/s, are of advanced age, and/or have a small litter.

The objectives of this study were to determine incidence of stillbirths and heifer-calf morbidity and mortality, and their association with dystocia on 3 Colorado dairies. A total of 7,380 calvings produced 7,788 calves on 3 Colorado dairy operations between October 1, 2001, and November 5, 2002. Dystocia score and calf status (alive vs. dead) were recorded at calving. Calves that were born alive, but died before 24h of age, also were recorded as stillborn. Heifer calves were monitored for 120 d to evaluate morbidity and mortality. More than half (51.2%) of calves born to primiparous dams, compared with 29.4% of calves born to multiparous dams, required assistance during calving. A larger percentage of bull calves (40.0%) required assistance compared with heifer calves (33.0%). Proportion of stillborn calves was 8.2% overall, with bull calves, twin calves, calves born to primiparous dams, and those born to dams having dystocia having a larger stillbirth percentage compared with heifer calves, singletons, calves born to multiparous dams, and unassisted calvings, respectively. Multiple logistic regression models were constructed to evaluate stillbirths and heifer health while accounting for the clustering of calves within dairy. The models included dystocia score, parity, and season of calving as explanatory variables for heifer events and also calf gender, and single or twin birth for the stillbirth models. Heifer calves born to dams having severe dystocia had greater odds of stillbirth [odds ratio (OR) = 20.7] and treatment of respiratory disease (OR = 1.7), digestive disease (OR = 1.3), and overall heifer mortality (OR = 6.7). Calf gender and dam parity interacted with calving ease to affect stillbirths. For calves having severe dystocia, heifer calves and calves born to multiparous dams were at increased risk of stillbirth compared with bull calves and calves born to primiparous dams, respectively. Survival analysis demonstrated that severe dystocia was associated with stillbirths and deaths up to 30 d of age. Relatively simple interventions have the potential to significantly reduce the impact of dystocia on calf mortality and morbidity on dairy farms. Education of farm management and personnel in strategies to reduce dystocia and its effect on calf health should be a priority according to the results of this study.

Birth is a fundamental event in the life of animals, including our own species. More reports of wild non-human primate births and stillbirths are thus needed to better understand the evolutionary pressures shaping parturition behaviors in our lineage. In diurnal non-human primates, births generally occur at night, when individuals are resting. Consequently, they are difficult to observe in the wild and most of the current knowledge regarding perinatal behaviors comes from rare daytime births. Information about stillbirths is even rarer and their proximate causes are generally unknown. Here, we present detailed observations of a daytime birth of a stillborn wild mandrill (Mandrillus sphinx). During this event, which lasted an entire day, we recorded the behaviors of the parturient female ad libitum, using video recordings and photos. The 5-year-old female was primiparous and of low dominance rank. The length of her pregnancy was shorter than usual and the partum phase was extremely long compared to other birth reports in non-human primates. The female disappeared shortly after this event and was assumed to have died. We discuss the possible causes of this stillbirth including the infant’s presentation at birth and maternal inexperience.

Stillbirth is an economically important trait on dairy farms. Knowledge of the consequences of, and the economic losses associated with stillbirth can help the producer when making management decisions. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of stillbirth on productive and reproductive performance as well as financial losses due to stillbirth incidence in Iranian Holstein dairy farms. Economic and performance data were collected from nine Holstein dairy farms in Isfahan and Khorasan provinces of Iran from March 2008 to December 2013. The final data set included 160 410 calving records from 53 265 cows. A linear mixed model was developed to evaluate the effects of stillbirth on performance of primiparous and multiparous cows separately and overall. An economic model was used to estimate the economic losses due to stillbirth. The incidence of stillbirth cases per cow per year was 4.2% on average (3.4% to 6.8% at herd level). The least square means results showed that a case of stillbirth significantly (P<0.05) reduced 305-day milk production in multiparous cows and overall, but had no significant effects on primiparous cows production performance (P>0.05). Overall, a case of stillbirth reduced 305-day milk yield by 544.0±76.5 kg/cow per lactation. Stillbirth had no significant effects on 305-day fat and protein percentages in either primiparous or multiparous cows. Overall, cows that gave birth to stillborn calves had significantly increased days open by 14.6±2.6 days and the number of inseminations per conception by 0.2 compared with cows that gave birth to live calves (P<0.01). In general, the negative productive and reproductive effects associated with stillbirth were smaller and non-significant for primiparous cows compared with multiparous cows. The financial losses associated with stillbirth incidence averaged US$ 938 per case (range from $US 767 to $US 1189 in the nine investigated farms). The loss of a calf was not the only cost associated with stillbirth, as it accounted for 71.0% of the total cost. The costs of dystocia (7.6%) and culling and replacement expenses (6.3%) were the next most important costs associated with stillbirth. These results can be used to assess the potential return from management strategies to reduce the occurrence of stillbirths.

The aims of this study were to estimate mortality rates in Norwegian dairy calves and young stock up to 1 yr of age, identify risk factors for calf mortality, and evaluate the etiology of calf mortality based on postmortem analyses. The material comprised 3 data sets. The first data set included information on 289,038 offspring in 14,474 dairy herds registered in the Norwegian Dairy Herd Recording System (NDHRS) in 2005. The second included recordings on 5,382 offspring in 125 Norwegian dairy herds participating in a survey on calf health, and the third included results from postmortem analyses of 65 calves from 37 of the survey herds. The calf mortality rate during the first year of life in all herds registered in the NDHRS was 7.8%, including abortion (0.7%) and stillbirth (3.4%). The overall calf mortality rate in liveborn calves in the survey herds was 4.6%. Cows with severe calving difficulties had an odds ratio (OR) of 38.7 of stillbirth compared with cows with no calving difficulties. Twins and triplets showed an increased risk of stillbirth compared with singletons (OR = 4.2 and 46.3, respectively), as did calves born in free stalls compared with tie stalls (OR = 1.9). Respiratory disease increased the risk of death in all age groups with hazard ratios (HR) of 6.4, 6.5, 7.4, and 5.6 during the first week of life, 8 to 30 d of age, 31 to 180 d of age, and 181 to 365 d of age, respectively. Diarrhea increased the risk of death among calves younger than 180 d of age, but the influence was only significant during the first week of life and between 8 to 31 d of age (HR = 2.4 and 2.9, respectively). Calves born during the winter were more likely to die during the first week of life than calves born during the summer (OR = 1.2), and were more likely to die during the first month of life than calves born during the autumn (OR = 1.2). Calf mortality rates in all age groups increased with increasing herd size. Calves housed in a group pen from 2 wk of age were more likely to die during the first month of life than calves housed individually (HR = 1.5). Bronchopneumonia and enteritis were the most frequent postmortem diagnoses, with proportional rates of 27.7 and 15.4%, respectively.